UCLA vs SDSU 2026 Recap: Bruins Win in Home Opener, 28-10

PASADENA, Calif. — The UCLA Bruins have entered the 2026 season with a chip on their shoulder, winning their second straight contest to start 2-0.

The visiting Aztecs hung around for as long as they could before the Blue and Gold shut the door and came out with a 28-10 win.

UCLA vs SDSU Week 2 Recap

First Half Snoozefest

UCLA didn’t come out as it did last week. Instead, stalled on early drives and flipped fields with punts. We saw a heavy dose of passing in the first 15 — much of which came behind or near the line of scrimmage.

The Bruins’ start to the second quarter was a more reassuring sequence highlighted by a 45-yard catch-and-run by Brian Rowe Jr. However, the high was abruptly cut short by an end zone interception. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava throws his second of the season in what was really a head-scratching decision — rolling out right and throwing back left against the grain. The second-year Bruin still awaits his first passing touchdown of the season.

It’s now two consecutive games where UCLA’s star quarterback has a turnover in the red zone. In a game where points are a premium, missing out on points is what causes games to be closer than they should be.

“We’re still getting comfortable with each other as far as the offense,” Iamaleava said. “It’s a good second game for us to learn from … I think I can play a little better. But it feels great to have a supporting cast that — even if I don’t play the best — that can still pull out [wins].”

The first half didn’t pose too much to write home about with a 0-0 score. Both sides had trouble extending drives on third down, with the punters getting an extended workload.

“That is not the way we want to play football, obviously,” UCLA head coach Bob Chesney said after the game. “It wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty. You need one of those, and I thought our guys did a good job of finding a way to win the game.”

Strong Defensive Performance

Impressively, the Bruins’ defense bent at times, but it never broke — making plays at crucial moments, keeping everything in front of them. As well as they battled in the first half, the second half is where they came alive with pressures, sacks and tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

SDSU’s running backs Lucky Sutton and Javion Kinnard stood out early, earning multiple first downs. They would not go down at the touch of the first tackler, driving their legs and pushing piles for extra yards. Sutton finished the game with 81 yards, leading the Aztecs’ rushing attack. Regardless of the hot start, UCLA’s defense anchored down and made SDSU’s run game a non-factor.

But it was the poor quarterback performance from Jayden Denegal that ultimately hindered any chance at an upset. He had opportunities downfield, but couldn’t connect on any — overthrows being the major cause. His night ended with 45 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception on 6-of-17 passing.

UCLA Continues Bruising Ground Game

Oddly, Chesney didn’t turn to his three-headed backfield as anticipated to start the game. It wasn’t until the third quarter that Wayne Knight broke the scoreless tie with an eight-yard rushing touchdown before finding the goal line twice more. The JMU transfer scores his sixth of the season and his third at the Rose Bowl.

“The positions I’m put in,” Knight emphasized in regarding his six touchdowns in two games.

“We’re moving the ball as an offense, making plays and when the light shines on you, it’s your time to make that play. Fortunately enough — all glory to God — I’m able to make those plays.”

He wasn’t the only Bruin to find the end zone. Jaivian Thomas gets in on the fun with the fourth touchdown of the half and the first of his season.

Though not the six-rushing-touchdown performance they had in Week 1, Chesney’s rushers still shined Saturday night. Again, it was Knight leading the way with 97 yards en route to a hat trick. The other rushers, including Iamaleava, contributed 117 yards and one score.

Let’s Go Play

Prior to Saturday night’s game, San Diego State head coach Sean Lewis heated up the matchup.

“I got plenty of experience where there’s a galaxy of stars and talents on the other sideline, and I’ll take me and mine against them all. Their polos, all their khakis, all their resources, all that. Put the ball down, let’s go play.”

You have to respect the confidence, but there are levels to it. An off-like performance didn’t matter; UCLA was still the better team.

UCLA’s Week 3 Outlook

Westwood, that is the home debut of your new era. Bob Chesney is here, and your Bruins are now 2-0.

The party continues throughout the weekend for the Blue and Gold before hosting 1-1 Purdue next Saturday. The Boilermakers have been off to a scorching start offensively, averaging 40 points in their two outings. If UCLA’s defense can replicate another physical performance, it should be an exciting Big 10 clash. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. PST.